Westlake High School - Ram Ler Yearbook (Westlake, LA)

Page 12 text:

Taken in 1970-71; first year as principal Mr. Marion A. Benson was born in Hampton, Arkansas. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Benson. In 1952 Mr. Benson married Iris Wyble and they are the parents of four daughters, Kathy. Sharon, Cindy, and Diane. He graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, and then earned his B.S. degree from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana. Mr. Benson earned his Master of Education degree from the University of Mississippi and then earned 30 additional hours of graduate credit at McNeese State University. Mr. Benson's career in education has spanned 29 years. He began coaching and teaching at Westlake High School in 1951. Mr. Benson stated that one of the high points of his career was being coach in 1953 when the Rams football team won the state championship. Mr. Benson left the classroom and entered administrative work when he became principal of Westwood Elementary School in 1960. He remained there until 1970 when he was appointed principal at Westlake High School. Congratulations. Mr. Ban son. for a job wan dona. 1979

Page 11 text:

Benson says, Welcome back...get involved.” For those ot you who were here last year. 1 say welcome back. for those of you coming for the first time. I say welcome We are glad to have you as part of the student body of Westlake High Hopefully, each of you had a pleasant summer and Is now ready to get hack to the routine of school which includes football games, basketball games, pep rallies, band practice and most important, academic studies We feel that we have a vary good school and I would like to take this opportunity to en courage each c4 you to help make W H S a better school You get more out of school if you become involved So let s get involved. you and the school will benefit Here is wishing you a very good school year? your principal. Manon A Benson S RAM-PAGE v — 1 WOTUXf HIGH SCHOOL WKSTLAII, LA. SCFTIMBH 1979 Summer: a time for camp! BAND CAMP YEARBOOK CAMP This summer the WHS Flag Carps Rifle Brigade and the band's drum majors. Chad Halsted and Lon Shelton at tended the 1979 McN'eeae Band Camp The Camp is ikaigned to teach anyone willing to learn more techniques about their particular band interests A registration was held Sunday. July B and was followed by five days of camp The days bagan at 8 00 and ended around 4 30 On Monday through. Thursday, the flags and nfles met with group instructors who taught different twirling styles and techniques Friday, all of the flag and rifle groups attending camp presented a routine of twirls learned at camp Both the Westlake Flag and Rifle Corps ware chosen as one of the top groups at camp Chad and Lon attended drum major classes taught by Brett Johnson McNeese’s drum major They learned marching and conducting techniques for the field They also attended conducting, leadership, and band classes The conducting class was taught by Mr I no. band director from Illinois State University In this class they learned bow to conduct concert musu. in leadership class they were taught how to be leaders in the band In band, they learned several pieces of music and gave a concert on Friday night The long hours at practice will sure be worth the work when the Westlake Ram Band takes the field for competition By: Janet Peeples Not 180 days but more . I guess you're wondering what that phrase is all about That is the new theme for the 1879 1900 Ram ler. the WHS Yearbook The yearbook staff works very hard to give us the best yearbook they can Many times the staff works on weekends as well as holidays to get the book completed This, plus the fact that many other organizations do the same thing, is what not 180 days but more means The yearbook staff attended South-Eastern Hennington Yearbook Seminar in Hammond. La for a total of four days. June 17 - 21 This is an annual event for the staff during the summer The staff had a rough schedule to stick to. but we loved it, ’ commented Stephanie Schatzle who will be serving as Co-editor along with Dana Landers Stephanie went on to say their schedule required them to be up at 6 30 a m Breakfast was served at 7.30 a m . from 8 30 to 11:30 they attended classes, lunch was next and then classes resumed at 1:00 and ended at 4:30 Later that night the staff had homework Now the staff didn’t just work, they had recreational activities such as swimming, viewing movies, and enjoying leisure shopping B 1 aw ini Pierce Hhsws to Kelly Hopkins and Diane Elkins. ( Captains of Ike Rifle Brigade West of tke Lake, one of the groups attending MSI Band lamp Pictured in Hammond holding the trophy they earned at yearbook camp are from left Sandia Kelley. Dana lenders (Co-Editori. Stephanie Schaule Co-Ed. . and K ox a me Bernard professor in Professor Plump FBLA CAMP The grand city of Bunkie. Louisiana was the site for FBLA camp last June 19 22 Schools from all over Louisiana par ticipated. including Westlake High Mrs Janette Cochran sponsored the group of seven including DJuana Clary-. Jan Cochran. Vickie Hebert Karen Pounders. Melanie Miller. Leatha Seabaugh. and Debra Roach The daily itinerary started with Action Assembly from 8:00 -10.30 a m headed by the state and Squiggles The six others played a worm The Wesllakers won first place in a poster contest. the winning art work is being displayed in Mrs Hau kin's room The softball team, however, struck out in competition The climax of the tnp was the banquet held the final evening The FBLA club is planning the tnp again next year By Wkyne Me Entire CHEERLEADER CAMP The WHS 1979-80 Cheerleader Squad attended Lamar University s Cheerleader Camp The girls attended the camp for a total of four days They competed for awards against other high schoU throughout Louisiana and Texas The squad received four superior ribbons and the Spirit Stick for one day for being the most spin ted group The fourth day of the camp was Parents' Day. and the WHS Cher leaders, along with five other squads, received the Certificate of Excellence Dana Smith was named Best All Around Cheerleader Dana competed with girls from Texas and Louisians for this title She will also appear in Megaphone Magazine. a national cheerleaders magazine She received a certificate and a medal By: l-orini Pierce officers A short break followed and then lunch in the cafeteria The OBmpers said the food was the same kind as school lunches and they lived off candy bars From 1 00 - 5:00 was a recreational period where participants played softball, volleyball, or swimming After a long day the campers lodged in dorms for the night Jan Cochran had this to say about the quarters, it was allright when you cleared the bugs out You had to gum off the bugs before washing your hands or taking a shower Bugs were everywhere? She went on to say that it was still an exciting ex perience. bugs and all FBLA members attending ramp were from left Mrs. Jarmette During breaks, the Westlake Cochran chaperone. Melanie Miller. Debra Ronck. Leatha crew prepared for Skit Night Seaboogh. Jan ( or hr an. Vickie Hebert. Karen Pounder and D Juana Clary starred as the photographer UUuana Clary.

Page 13 text:

Dedication It Is with sincere appreciation tor his many contributions to education and athletics at West-lake High School that the yearbook staff dedicates the 1980 edition of the Ram-ler to Mr. Marion A. Benson. Congratulations. 1976. Mr. Benson was a friend to students and faculty members. Mr. Benson making Ms usual morning announcements. 1979.